How much does a gardener charge in Torbay?
If you're hiring a gardener around Torquay, Paignton or Brixham, the first question is usually "what's this going to cost?" Here's an honest guide to typical 2026 prices in the bay — and how to make sure you're paying a fair rate.
Hourly rate vs day rate
Most gardeners in South Devon price one of two ways: by the hour or by the day. As a rough guide for 2026:
- Hourly: around £18–£28 an hour for a single gardener, depending on the work and their kit.
- Day rate: typically £140–£220 a day for one person, or more for a two-person team with a van and machinery.
One-off jobs and smaller visits often sit at the higher end of the hourly range, because travel and setup eat into a short booking. Regular maintenance usually works out cheaper per visit.
Typical prices by job
Every garden's different, but here's the ballpark for common jobs in the Torbay area:
- Lawn mowing (small–medium garden): £20–£40 a visit.
- Hedge trimming: £25–£60+ depending on length, height and how much waste there is.
- Regular maintenance (fortnightly): often £30–£50 a visit on a rolling round.
- Garden clearance / overgrown tidy-up: usually priced per day, £150–£300+, plus green-waste disposal.
- Pressure washing a patio or path: £80–£200 depending on size.
💡 Tip: Green-waste disposal is the cost people forget. Ask whether removing cuttings and clippings is included in the quote, or charged on top — it can add £20–£60 to a clearance.
What changes the price
A good gardener will weigh up a few things before quoting:
- Size and condition — an overgrown garden takes far longer than a tidy one.
- Access — a steep Torbay hillside plot, narrow side return or no parking all add time.
- Waste — how much there is, and whether they're taking it away.
- One-off vs regular — a standing fortnightly slot is usually better value than ad-hoc visits.
How to get a fair quote
You don't need three quotes for a £30 mow, but for anything bigger it's worth it. When you do:
- Ask for the quote in writing — a clear price beats "we'll see how we get on".
- Check what's included — labour, materials, and waste removal.
- Agree whether it's a fixed price or a day rate before they start.
- For regular work, ask about a recurring slot — many gardeners give better value to keep a round full.
A professional gardener using modern software can usually turn a visit into a tidy, itemised quote in minutes — and you'll often get a branded booking link rather than a scrappy text. That's a good sign you're dealing with someone who runs their business properly.
Are you the gardener, not the customer?
Graft drafts your quotes, fills your diary and gets you paid faster — built for South Devon trades.
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